An article that appeared on yesterday’s Education page demonstrates both the difficulties that schools face, and the problems for a school of ensuring parental backing for sanctions. At first glance, the story is one of draconian punishment (if a detention is nowadays perceived as such) for minor infractions.

The school, however, could not have made its intentions clearer. “The school texted parents during the Easter break saying that children would receive a detention if they failed to bring a planner diary, a pen, a pencil, a sharpener, a rubber, a ruler and a calculator.” This is hardly an unreasonable request. This is a secondary school, so we are not talking of primary children here, and the school had asked that children should arrive with the minimum of equipment necessary for class. The children’s pencil cases were then checked on the first day of term, and those who had… Read more